Futures Combine: PRZ Next Top Quarterback Performers
Not to be lost with all the FBU action going on in Naples, Fla. in late December, the Futures Combine saw north of 225 athletes from all over the country compete. Athletes from the classes of 2029 (5th grade) through…
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Continue ReadingNot to be lost with all the FBU action going on in Naples, Fla. in late December, the Futures Combine saw north of 225 athletes from all over the country compete. Athletes from the classes of 2029 (5th grade) through 2025 (9th grade) competed for a host of awards, opportunities and invitations to national events. In addition to Prep Redzone Next, representatives from FBU, Under Armour and the All-American Bowl on NBC were in attendance checking out some of the brightest young stars in the country.
With the exception of kickers/punters and long snappers, all the positions were on display. Athletes were put through the combine testing and one-on-one competitive drills, designed to allow athletes to show off what they can do. Without further ado, here’s a look at the Quarterback’s that stood out.
The Big Dog
I will fully admit I did a complete 180-degree turn on North Carolina’s Brody Norman when I watched him in Naples. Coming into my week down there I thought 2026 prospect Norman was more of a game manager surrounded by stellar athletes on team Carolina; Leaving Naples, I will tell anyone who will listen, Norman is a very good athlete who makes plays happen with both his arm, and his legs. Doesn’t have the most arm strength in the world right now, but he gets enough on his passes to complete them. There’s just something about Norman that makes you feel confident he’s going to make a play happen–which, for my money, is a feeling I want my quarterback to give me. Kid is a winner.
The Next Best
One of the biggest 2026 quarterback’s in attendance was Indiana’s Anthony Coellner. Standing 6-foot-1 and 155 pounds, Coellner displayed a big arm with some serious zip on his passes. I liked what I saw in terms of driving the ball down field on deep passes. He had a knack for putting the ball in only places his receiver could make a play on the ball. He didn’t get to display much dual-threat ability at the combine, but he’s certainly not a statue and can prolong plays with his legs if he needs to.
Just a 2027 prospect, I’m becoming more and more of a BIG fan of JR Harris of Georgia. Another athlete who maximized his time down in Naples, as he led GMSAA to a seventh grade FBU National Championship in the tournament. On his off day he came to the combine and looked the part of a kid getting ready to explode. All things considered, he was probably the best dual-threat quarterback I saw at the combine. He’s a gamer with a killer instinct you can’t coach. You will hear a lot about him over the next four-to-five years leading up to college.
In my humble opinion, Peyton Houston of Louisiana may have been the most complete, well-rounded quarterback at the combine–regardless of class. The 2027 prospect attends Calvary Baptist Academy down in the Boot State and that program is known to turn out great talent. Houston has extremely advanced fundamentals and plays the position at a high level. His throwing motion is crisp and fluid, with little to no wasted movement. He keeps his feet under him and then pointed towards his intended target. It’s obvious he’s a mixture of pure talent and he’s been coached up since an early age.
The Best of the Rest
Carson Welsh, of Ohio, had an encouraging combine in Naples. The 5-foot-10, 176-pound signal caller from Jackson Middle School displayed a live arm with pretty good accuracy as well. Also a standout on the baseball diamond, you can see a little touch of baseball throwing motion in his throws, but nonetheless the ball gets to where it needs to be.
A longer, wirey quarterback, Connor Moreland also caught my eye at the combine. Indiana was well-represented with the aforementioned Coellner and Moreland spinning the ball. Has a bit of a long wind up at this point, but that should shorten up with improved shoulder and arm strength. Throws a nice ball on short/intermediate passes at this point, often releasing the ball before the receiver even snaps his head around.
Without having all final measurements from the combine, Kaneal Sweetwyne appeared to be the tallest quarterback in attendance–I’m estimating 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-3. Has the look and feel of a recruitable quarterback in high school if he continues to develop his overall game. Has a little bit of baby deer in his movement at this point, likely because of how long he is. He’s raw athletically, but there’s something to him that coaches at the next level should keep an eye on.